In this episode of the Talk About Digital Podcast, host Mark A Preston dives into how small business owners can harness the full potential of LinkedIn to grow their customer base. If you're a small business looking to secure more leads, make impactful connections, and build lasting relationships with potential clients, this episode is packed with actionable advice on how to use LinkedIn as a customer growth tool.

Why LinkedIn is a Must for Small Businesses:

Mark breaks down why LinkedIn is one of the most powerful, yet underutilised platforms for small businesses. Unlike traditional advertising, LinkedIn is not just about selling; it’s about starting meaningful conversations, building trust, and opening doors to opportunities you wouldn’t normally have access to.

Key Insights for Small Business Owners:

• Building Relationships, Not Just Selling: Learn how to use LinkedIn to initiate genuine conversations that can lead to long-term customer relationships. Mark emphasises the importance of avoiding automated sales pitches and instead focusing on mutual benefit in every interaction.
• Mastering LinkedIn Profiles and Engagement: Mark provides tips on how to optimise your personal profile to showcase your expertise and how to use valuable content to position yourself as a go-to expert in your field. This helps potential clients recognise you as a solution to their problems.
• The Power of Personalisation: One of the most important takeaways is how to personalise your connection requests and messages on LinkedIn. By taking the time to research and understand your prospects, you can stand out from the crowd and start genuine, value-driven conversations.
• Taking the Conversation Offline: Mark shares his personal strategy for taking LinkedIn connections to the next level—by moving conversations off LinkedIn to phone calls, Zoom meetings, or in-person interactions, where relationships can truly grow.

What Will You Gain by Listening?

By tuning in to this episode, you’ll gain practical knowledge on how to leverage LinkedIn as a lead generation tool without being overly salesy. Mark’s step-by-step guidance on finding the right prospects, building rapport, and driving conversations towards business growth will help you unlock LinkedIn’s potential for your small business.

TAD Takeaway: The episode ends with a golden piece of advice: Use LinkedIn’s search feature to find your ideal customers, send personalised connection requests, and focus on the mutual benefit of the conversation. This approach will not only generate leads but help you build valuable, long-term relationships that drive customer growth.

If you’re ready to grow your small business through LinkedIn customer growth strategies, this episode is a must-listen.

In this episode of the Talk About Digital Podcast, host Mark A Preston welcomes PR and marketing expert Lee Petts to explore creative strategies that small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) can use to stand out, attract new customers, and grow their brand. Lee, founder of the PR and marketing agency 52M, shares his no-nonsense approach to PR, focusing on impactful and bold campaigns that deliver real results—without the hefty price tag.

For SMEs and small business owners, navigating the world of PR and marketing can often seem daunting, especially with limited budgets. Lee breaks down how businesses can embrace creativity and bold ideas to drive visibility and customer engagement, even when resources are tight.

Key Insights for SMEs and Small Business Owners:

• Why Bold PR Works: Lee explains why standing out in a crowded market requires more than just traditional marketing. He reveals how businesses can create campaigns that break the norm, attract attention, and stay memorable—crucial for any small business looking to grow on a budget.
• The Power of Creative Storytelling: Learn how SMEs can turn seemingly mundane aspects of their business into engaging, newsworthy stories. Lee explains how to flip the narrative and make your brand’s unique story work for you.
• Cost-Effective Campaigns: Lee shares real-life examples of highly successful campaigns that required minimal investment but generated significant returns. He highlights the importance of testing creative ideas on a small scale before committing more resources, ensuring you’re on the right track before going big.
• Harnessing Data and Creativity Together: While Lee is all about bold creativity, he explains how data-driven insights can guide creative decisions. By blending data with innovative ideas, businesses can strike the perfect balance between creativity and measurable outcomes.
• PR for Growth-Minded Businesses: Whether you’re an ambitious small business owner or running a charity, this episode offers practical advice on how to use PR as a growth tool. Lee emphasises that PR is not just for big corporations—small businesses can achieve remarkable results with the right approach.

What Will You Gain?

This episode provides actionable insights into how small businesses can start using creative PR and marketing strategies to build their brand, grow their customer base, and stay competitive in an ever-changing marketplace. From learning how to generate buzz around your business to understanding how to engage your audience with relevant, culturally timely content, you’ll walk away with practical tips to apply immediately.

Lee’s TAD Takeaway offers a piece of golden advice: make time for creative experimentation. Dedicate time each week to brainstorm bold ideas and test them out, even on a small scale. The more you flex your creative muscle, the stronger it becomes—and the more likely you’ll create campaigns that deliver significant results.

This is a must-listen episode for any SME or small business owner looking to revitalise their marketing and PR efforts. If you're ready to start thinking differently and push your business forward with innovative strategies, this episode will inspire and equip you to make it happen.

In this insightful episode of the Talk About Digital Podcast, host Mark A Preston delves into the transformative role that PR can play in driving growth for small businesses. If you're a small business owner or an SME looking to boost your visibility, build trust, and attract new customers, this episode is packed with actionable advice on how to get started with PR and make it work for your business.

Unlike paid ads, PR offers you earned media exposure, which not only enhances your credibility but also builds long-term customer loyalty. Mark breaks down how to harness the power of public relations by focusing on the following:

• Why PR is Crucial for Customer Growth: Learn how PR can help your business establish a voice in your market, create trust, and generate a loyal customer base. Mark explains the long-term value of earned media coverage and why it’s more impactful than traditional advertising.
• Identifying Your Unique PR Story: Mark highlights one of the biggest mistakes small businesses make when approaching PR—treating it like an advertisement. He shares the key elements of a newsworthy PR story, such as uniqueness, timeliness, human interest, and local relevance. By thinking like a journalist, you’ll be better positioned to gain media coverage that matters.
• How to Get PR Exposure: From creating a press release to identifying the right journalists to pitch to, Mark shares his process for securing valuable media attention. He also offers a pro tip: use Google News to research what stories are getting published in your industry, giving you insights on how to craft your own compelling PR angles.
• Leverage Local Media for Exposure: One of the best starting points for small businesses is tapping into local media outlets. Mark’s TAD Takeaway for this episode is to leverage community-driven stories to build authentic local exposure. He explains how to pitch stories that highlight your business’s impact on the local community—whether through job creation, supporting local events, or offering unique services.

What Will You Gain?

By listening to this episode, you’ll walk away with practical, easy-to-implement PR tips that will help your business secure authentic media coverage. Whether it’s through local newspapers, radio stations, or online blogs, you’ll learn how to connect with the right journalists and tell stories that resonate with their audiences, driving trust and visibility for your brand.

If you’re ready to take your small business to the next level using the power of PR, this episode is an essential listen!

In this exciting episode of Talk About Digital, host Mark A Preston sits down with professional dancer and content creator, Cleo Khan, to dive into the world of micro-influencers and how small businesses can tap into their power to grow their customer base. Cleo, who has built a loyal following of over 50,000 on TikTok and collaborated with top brands like L’Oréal and Drunk Elephant, shares valuable insights on how SMEs can leverage influencer marketing to drive sales and increase brand awareness.

Key Benefits of Listening for SMEs and Small Business Owners:

• The Power of Micro-Influencers: Cleo explains why micro-influencers, with their niche but engaged audiences, can be more effective and cost-efficient for small businesses than high-profile influencers. She provides examples of how small companies can see great results by targeting the right influencers for their brand.
• Real, Authentic Engagement: Discover why micro-influencers often have higher engagement rates than big names, and how their closer connection with their followers can lead to more genuine recommendations—ultimately translating into better customer trust and higher conversions for your business.
• Affordable Marketing with High Impact: Learn how businesses can collaborate with influencers through gifted product reviews or more formal, paid agreements, making it accessible even for businesses with modest marketing budgets. Cleo also touches on how to track the effectiveness of influencer campaigns through discount codes and commissions.
• Practical Steps for Building Partnerships: Cleo offers actionable advice on how small business owners can approach influencers, create a compelling pitch, and ensure smooth collaboration. She stresses the importance of clear communication and gives tips on what makes her want to work with a brand.
• UGC vs. Influencer Marketing: Cleo breaks down the difference between user-generated content (UGC) and influencer marketing, explaining how both strategies can complement each other depending on your marketing goals. You’ll learn when it’s best to ask for polished content versus organic, authentic engagement.

What Will You Gain?

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to identify, approach, and collaborate with micro-influencers to boost your brand’s visibility and customer growth. Cleo shares real-life examples of successful brand partnerships, including how long-term collaborations can evolve and yield greater benefits over time. Whether you're just starting with influencer marketing or looking to refine your approach, Cleo’s insights will help you create a winning strategy.

This episode concludes with the signature "TAD Takeaway"—a golden nugget of actionable advice from Cleo that every small business owner can implement: thoroughly research potential influencers, ensuring their audience aligns with your brand and goals before you make the first move.

Tune in to this episode if you’re a small business owner eager to explore influencer marketing but unsure where to start. Cleo’s firsthand experience will inspire and guide you to harness the power of micro-influencers for your business success!

In this episode of the Talk About Digital Podcast, host Mark A Preston dives into the world of influencer marketing and uncovers how small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) can leverage this powerful tool to attract new customers and grow their brand—without breaking the bank. Whether you’re a small business owner who’s never ventured into influencer marketing or you're looking for ways to optimise your strategy, this episode is packed with valuable insights that will transform how you approach influencer partnerships.

Mark begins by challenging the common misconception that influencer marketing is only for big brands with huge budgets. He explains why working with high-profile influencers isn’t always the most effective route for small businesses and highlights the immense potential of micro-influencers. These influencers, with smaller but highly engaged audiences, offer better alignment with local businesses and are more likely to help you build meaningful connections with your target audience.

Key Insights for Small Business Owners:

• Understanding Micro-Influencers: Learn how micro-influencers, who already have your ideal customer base, can be the secret to fast-tracking your growth. Mark explains why this targeted approach yields better results than partnering with major celebrities and high-profile figures.
• Budget-Friendly Influencer Marketing: Think influencer marketing is expensive? Think again. Mark discusses how to collaborate with local influencers in ways that won’t cost your business a fortune but will deliver substantial value, such as offering free products or services in exchange for content creation.
• Finding the Right Influencers: Not sure where to start? Mark shares actionable tips for finding the right influencers to work with, including how to use powerful tools like SparkToro to identify individuals who are already reaching your target audience.
• Building Strong Partnerships: This episode explores how to approach potential influencers and create partnerships that benefit both parties. Mark explains how a well-crafted influencer collaboration can amplify your brand’s reach and establish credibility within your community.

What Will You Gain by Listening?

• Boost Customer Growth: Discover how to harness influencer marketing as an effective, low-cost strategy for attracting new customers and increasing sales.
• Practical, Actionable Advice: Mark offers step-by-step guidance on how to research, approach, and collaborate with the right influencers, making this episode a must-listen for SMEs looking to dip their toes into influencer marketing without getting overwhelmed.
• Increase Brand Awareness: Whether you're a restaurant owner, retail shop, or service provider, you'll walk away with a clear understanding of how local influencers can help you build brand recognition and get your business in front of the right people.

Mark wraps up the episode with his signature "TAD Takeaway"—a golden nugget of advice you can implement right away. This week’s TAD Takeaway is all about using SparkToro to find micro-influencers who have already built your ideal audience. With this tool, you'll save time and ensure you’re connecting with the right people who can propel your business forward.

If you’re ready to explore the world of influencer marketing and want to grow your customer base quickly and affordably, this episode will equip you with everything you need to get started. Tune in to find out how micro-influencers can help your business achieve big impact with minimal investment.

In this episode of the Talk About Digital Podcast, host Mark A Preston sits down with Kath Lord-Green, known as Your Fairy Podmother, to discuss the transformative power of podcasting for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Kath, an award-winning businesswoman and former radio station director, shares her incredible journey from the world of radio to becoming a podcasting expert, helping businesses amplify their voice and reach a wider audience.

If you’re a small business owner or SME looking to grow your customer base, this episode will unlock the secrets of how podcasting can be an invaluable tool in your digital marketing strategy. Kath provides insider knowledge on how even the smallest businesses can use podcasting to:

• Enhance Your Digital Marketing Strategy: Learn how podcasts can boost your website's SEO, increase visibility, and generate more leads. By repurposing your existing content (blogs, FAQs, newsletters), you can create engaging audio content that resonates with your target audience.
• Build Trust and Authority: Establish yourself as an expert in your field by sharing valuable insights through podcasting. Kath reveals how SMEs can use podcasts to build credibility and foster deeper relationships with customers by offering authentic and relatable content.
• Reach the Right Audience: You don’t need millions of followers to succeed with podcasting. Kath emphasises the importance of targeting the right listeners—those genuinely interested in your business—and how this can lead to higher conversion rates.
• Cost-Effective, High-Impact Content: Podcasting doesn’t require a big budget. Whether you’re recording from your phone or using professional equipment, you can still create powerful, high-quality content. Kath shares examples of businesses that started small and now enjoy significant benefits without breaking the bank.
• Inclusivity and Accessibility: Discover how audio content can make your business more inclusive. Not everyone has the time to read lengthy newsletters or reports, but podcasting offers a convenient way for busy professionals and customers to stay informed, creating a stronger connection to your brand.

Throughout this engaging conversation, Kath demystifies podcasting for business growth, offering practical tips that can be implemented immediately. From making your newsletters available in audio format to repurposing content across platforms, Kath’s advice will help you tap into the rapidly growing world of podcasting.

Why Should You Listen?

• Inspiration and Expertise: Kath's vast experience in radio and podcasting shines through as she shares real-life examples of how small businesses are using podcasts to grow their brand and reach new customers.
• Practical, Actionable Advice: Walk away with actionable steps that can be easily integrated into your business, regardless of budget or technical experience.
• A Unique Takeaway: In every episode, Mark offers the "TAD Takeaway," and this episode’s nugget of wisdom is about transforming your communications—turn your next newsletter or business update into audio and see how your customers respond.

If you're ready to elevate your business and stand out in your industry, this episode is a must-listen for SMEs and small business owners looking to make a big impact with minimal investment. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn from Your Fairy Podmother herself and start your podcasting journey today!

Welcome to the very first episode of the Talk About Digital Podcast with Mark A Preston, a podcast designed exclusively for SMEs and small business owners who are eager to grow their customer base without burning through their budget. In this introductory episode, Mark A Preston, a seasoned Customer Growth Trainer, Speaker, and Author, shares his personal story of building multiple successful digital marketing ventures from the ground up—and why he’s passionate about helping business owners like you achieve big results with minimal investment.

What Will You Learn?

In this episode, Mark introduces his unique approach to digital marketing that focuses on maximising your impact without the need for hefty financial investment. If you’ve been paying marketing agencies a small fortune for results that seem out of reach, this episode will shift your mindset. Mark explains why you, as a business owner, are your most powerful asset in driving customer growth. You'll walk away with the tools to understand your audience better, leverage your strengths, and apply actionable marketing strategies that work, no matter the size of your budget.

Key Takeaways for Small Business Owners:

• Low-Cost, High-Impact Marketing Techniques: Discover practical, easy-to-implement digital marketing strategies that don’t require a large budget but can make a significant difference to your bottom line.
• Harnessing Your Unique Expertise: Learn why you, as the business owner, are best positioned to market your business and how you can use that knowledge to engage customers effectively.
• Actionable Advice for Immediate Results: In every episode, including this one, Mark provides his signature "TAD Takeaway"—a simple, actionable tip you can implement today to start seeing results in your business.
• Real Stories, Real Solutions: Mark shares his experiences of running a lead generation business, managing multiple marketing agencies, and working with franchisees to grow businesses, all while maintaining a focus on minimal investment for maximum return. His story proves that any small business can thrive with the right approach, no matter how limited the budget.

By tuning in, you'll not only gain insider tips from Mark’s 20+ years in the industry but also access to guest experts who will share their proven tactics for digital marketing success in upcoming episodes.

If you're tired of overcomplicated marketing strategies and are ready to take control of your business growth with simple, effective techniques, this is the podcast for you. Whether you're struggling with generating leads, understanding your audience, or positioning your business, Talk About Digital offers clear, actionable solutions tailored specifically for the challenges of small businesses.

Why Should You Listen?

• Results-Driven Content: Mark’s straightforward advice is designed to generate real-world results, helping you attract and retain customers more effectively.
• Empowering Approach: Stop relying on expensive marketing agencies. This podcast equips you with the confidence and know-how to manage your digital marketing in-house.
• Free Growth Tools: Subscribe and gain access to a 12-week free TAD Customer Growth Course, packed with more insights, tools, and tips to further fuel your business success.

Don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity to transform your digital marketing strategy and achieve big impact without a big budget. Tune in and take the first step toward making your business stand out online.

Welcome to "Talk About Digital" – the podcast dedicated to helping small and medium-sized businesses unlock the full potential of digital marketing.

Think BIG Impact with Minimal Investment.

Have you invested in digital marketing with zero positive impact? Are you frustrated with the lack of results despite your best efforts? You're not alone, and we're here to change that.

Each week, we'll dive deep into actionable steps designed to move your business forward, and always leave you with a TAD Takeaway! We'll explore where you are now, where you want to be, and teach you how to bridge that gap.

You are your biggest marketing asset, but are you using it wisely? We'll show you how small constant changes can lead to that BIG impact.

In every episode, you'll gain insights from me, Mark A Preston as well as industry experts who bring a wealth of knowledge and practical advice - and don’t forget that TAD Takeaway – giving you something to work on to grow your new customer base.

One week, I'll be breaking down complex digital strategies into simple, easy-to-understand actions you can implement into your business.

The next week, we'll have guest experts sharing their proven tactics and success stories, not forgetting their own ‘TAD Takeaway’.

Remember, no one understands your business better than you do. With our guidance, you will increase new customer growth, one step at a time.

Subscribe to the "Talk About Digital Podcast" today at www.talkaboutdigital.co.uk and transform your digital marketing efforts from frustrating to impactful. Don't miss out!